Karzai to Taliban: Join Peace Talks

Hamid Karzai has officially invited Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar to take part in Afghan peace talks. The Afghan president hopes Omar "gives up fratricide, gives up bombings and blasts, stops causing casualties to Afghanistan's children, women, and men" and instead "joins the peace process," he said today. Karzai was speaking at his palace at a traditional gathering marking the first day of Islam's Eid holiday, AFP reports.

Karzai announced last week that he'd organized the High Peace Council, which his office called "a significant step towards peace talks" with the Taliban. Previous peace overtures have been rejected by the Taliban, who believe Karzai's government is a US puppet and refuse to talk until foreign forces leave Afghanistan.
(More Taliban stories.)